Labour MP Kanishka Narayan has welcomed support from Prime Minister Andy Burnham for farmers in England as agricultural communities face lower yields, earlier harvests and growing uncertainty.
The Vale of Glamorgan MP highlighted the pressures facing farmers after meeting representatives from the farming sector this week, including NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales.
Writing on X, Narayan said:
“Deeply welcome support from the PM for farmers in England.
“Farmers in the Vale are suffering from lower yields, earlier harvests and significant uncertainty.
“I was grateful for their engagement this week, with NFU Cymru and FUW, and encourage Welsh Government to engage promptly on emergency support.”
Narayan’s intervention highlights concerns about the impact difficult growing conditions are having on farmers and the wider rural economy.
Farmers across the Vale and elsewhere in Wales are facing uncertainty over yields and the financial consequences of changing conditions, with calls growing for governments to ensure appropriate support is available to affected agricultural businesses.
While Narayan welcomed the Prime Minister’s support for farmers in England, he urged the Welsh Government to respond promptly and engage with the sector over the case for emergency assistance in Wales.
His comments followed direct discussions with farming representatives, with photographs shared by the Labour MP showing him meeting farmers and industry representatives.
Agriculture is devolved in Wales, meaning responsibility for farming policy and any specific Welsh support measures rests principally with the Welsh Government.
Narayan’s call therefore puts the focus on ensuring farmers on both sides of the border receive a timely response to the challenges facing the sector.
The Labour MP has stressed the importance of listening directly to farmers in his constituency as they deal with increasingly unpredictable conditions and the consequences for their businesses.
His intervention comes as the Labour Government seeks to demonstrate its support for rural communities and domestic food production, while balancing the immediate pressures facing farmers with the longer-term need for a resilient agricultural sector.
